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WuShock and Xavier Westbrook

Dec. 10, 2025 — Xavier Westbrook came to Wichita State from Canton, Kansas, to pursue a degree in elementary education. He hopes that his student and substitute teaching experiences will turn into a full-time career with Wichita Public Schools.

Devika Nekkalapu

Dec. 10, 2025 — When Devika Nekkalapu was a child, she imagined she'd work for the Indian Administrative Service, but her fascination with technology led her down another path. In December, she will graduate with her master’s degree in business analytics. 

 
 

Tayana Martin

Dec. 10, 2025 — Tayana Martin chose Wichita State for its proximity to home, reputation and the opportunities available to students. She encourages future Shockers to take advantage of all the university has to offer and take time to enjoy the college experience. 

Laura Santander Díaz

Dec. 9, 2025 — With a master's degree in biological sciences under her belt, Laura Santander Díaz is fulfilling her lifelong dream of being a scientist.

Karlee Scovell

Dec. 9, 2025 — Karlee Scovell came to Wichita State from Overland Park, Kansas. The nursing student will soon be working as an RN in the emergency room at Wesley Medical Center.

Cooper J. McWilliams

Dec. 9, 2025 — Cooper J. McWilliams left Bonner Springs to study film at Wichita State. His talent led him to several applied learning experiences in the film industry and eventually a full-time career at NIAR.

Isabella Winter

Dec. 8, 2025 — Isabella Winter enjoyed earning her undergraduate degree so much that she came back and earned her graduate degree in engineering management. Her advice to other students is "step out of your comfort zone and talk to people in your classes."

Avinash Pabbisetti

Dec. 8, 2025 — Avinash Pabbisetti chose Wichita State for its holistic approach to his program in supply chain management.

Natalie McConico

Dec. 8, 2025 — Natalie McConico is a homegrown Wichitan who was already well-versed in the many attributes of Wichita State University. She was particularly impressed by the opportunities available to engineering students.

Chantal Armenta

Dec. 8, 2025 — Growing up, Chantal Armenta always liked science, and her desire to help people led her to study biology and laboratory sciences. Now, she's taking her brand-new degree from Wichita State to work as a medical lab scientist for Ascension Via Christi.  

 
 

From left: Dr. Waruna Seneviratne, WSU President Rick Muma, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, Hexel CEO Tom Gentile, and Dr. John Tomblin

June 18, 2025 — Hexcel Corp., a global leader in advanced composites technology, is expanding its long-standing partnership with Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research by establishing a Hexcel Application Center inside NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems.

VISION machine

June 12, 2025 — Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has received a patent for VISION, an AI-powered composite inspection robot designed to detect and repair damage on aircraft parts autonomously. Developed at NIAR’s Automation Research Center and recently installed at a U.S. Army facility, the system uses machine learning to analyze inspection images and speed up aircraft maintenance.

NIAR building at Wichita State

May 21, 2025 — Wichita State University and Dassault Systèmes have opened the Manufacturing Innovation Center, a cutting-edge research and design facility on WSU’s Innovation Campus. Developed in partnership with WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), the center is now available to industry collaborators seeking to explore virtual twin technology, 3D design solutions and advanced automation in real-world environments.

Lisa Oldham

May 9, 2025 — Lisa Oldham, a proud two-time Wichita State grad, has dedicated her academic and professional journey to advocating for healing and justice in underserved communities. Fueled by resilience and a deep connection to Indigenous culture, she aims to serve others through work in corrections, mental health and substance use recovery.

Natasha Seneviratne with Wu and her dad

May 8, 2025 — Natasha Seneviratne found her place at Wichita State through family ties, supportive scholarships and hands-on experiences that helped her grow into a confident engineer.